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DUKE ORSINO.
Persistence is a trait that applies to Duke Orsino. Despite the knowledge that Olivia has rejected the company of men for seven years, in memory of her father, he persists in pursuing her. His level of commitment is seen in the fact that when he is unsuccessful in his suit, he gets someone who he feels (www.bulbsoup.com) is more suited, physically, for the chase. He chooses someone whom he views as non-threatening, with feminine traits, to woo her in his stead. This decision to outsource the task to a more physically suitable person also highlights his intelligence. The Duke realizes that his suit is aggressive in nature, so he softens it with Cesario. |
VIOLA/ CESARIO.
This protagonist is very intelligent. Her intelligence is seen in the plan that she formulated in order to survive on her own. We must acknowledge that the context that Viola existed in did not allow titled women the freedom to roam in public spaces. A woman of her socio-economic status was expected to be an angel in her home, who was always chaperoned when she left that home. She solved that problem by pretending to be male. She even takes it a step further by disguising herself, specifically, as a eunuch. This ensured that her natural feminine traits would not look suspicious to observers. |
It can also be asserted that Viola was brave. This is the case because she actually executed her plan. Women were expected to be docile and this action does not speak of docility. She literally took her life in her hands, in the face of the expectation that men are supposed to be the problem solvers. So Shakespeare has created a female protagonist who does not act in the (www.bulbsoup.com) way that the society, at the time, subscribed. This assertiveness, however, does not extend to her love life because she literally sits and pines after Duke Orsino. Therefore, she was assertive in controlling one aspect of her life but was traditional in her approach to her love life.
OLIVIA.
Olivia is the second strong female protagonist that Shakespeare creates for this play. She is very assertive. In a time when men control the lives of women, Olivia has decided that she will mourn the loss of her father in her own time and not be pressured to wed. She goes as far as to constantly reject the duke's suit. Again, we must remember that a woman's role in the (www.bulbsoup.com) Elizabethan era was to get married, have children, and take care of the home. Olivia has rejected this prescribed norm by deciding that she will mourn for seven years and reject the company of men. This means no suitors. She has, essentially, taken control of her life. A second example of Olivia's assertive nature is seen in her pursuit of Cesario. Women were not supposed to be the pursuers, but the pursuers. So she upends this societal norm as well, through her assertive nature. Another trait, specifically persistence, comes up in her seemingly dogged pursuit of Cesario. She initiates the chase with a ring as a lure, and persistently pursues him, much like Duke Orsino persistently pursues her. |
MALVOLIO.
Malvolio is ambitious. He believes that he can leap beyond the socio-economic background that he came from. This character trait is highlighted in his response to a particular line in the letter 'Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon 'em" (Act 2, scene 5). He immediately decides that he will be and do what Olivia wants, in order to please her and get the chance to be with her. At no point does he ponder if he is worthy, or (www.bulbsoup.com) contemplate the social implications of a steward getting involved with a lady. This implies that ambition was nestled in his chest from the very beginning. This is a contrast to the audience's expectations because Malvolio is, ironically, a puritan. This means that he shuns all forms of pleasure, which is in direct opposition to his response to the letter. Behind this ambition is pride. This pride is seen in the manner in which he treats not only his fellow servant Maria but also Sir Toby Belch and Andrew Aguecheek, who are socially and economically superior to him. |
FESTE.
Feste is a walking paradox. He is a court jester who is supposed to be entertaining, with no intelligence required. Ironically, however, he is extremely intelligent. This intelligence is seen in his conversation with Olivia, where he proves to her that she is a fool. He does so by highlighting the foolhardy nature of mourning her brother when she knows that he is in a good place. Feste is also a true performer (www.bulbsoup.com) who reveled in his role as Sir Topas, despite the fact that he was being intentionally cruel to Malvolio. |
Contributor: Leisa Samuels-Thomas